The 75th birth anniversary of the Most Venerable Maharagama Dhammasiri Nayaka Thero, is being marked by a felicitation ceremony in U.S. capital in 2024. The ceremonies to honour the Chief Incumbent of the Washington Buddhist Vihara, are being held at the Paññasīha Lion of Wisdom Meditation Centre with the participation of the Maha Sangha from several Temples in the United States, the American - Sri Lankan community in the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia area, representation of the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Governor of Maryland’s office, as well as other devotees and well-wishers. The Embassy of Sri Lanka to the United States in collaboration with the Sri Lankan community, is also joining hands in this celebratory event to commemorate the 65 years of service to the Dhamma by a distinguished prelate and spiritual leader.
Born Gunadasa Pieris on, on August 25, 1949, in Maharagama, Sri Lanka, he received his primary education in Parama Winyartha Buddhist School and attended Dhamma School at the Maharagama Parama Vajiragnana Institute in his formative years. The young Gunadasa, not yet turned 11, expressed a strong desire to be ordained as a Bhikku and he was ordained in 1960 and came under the tutelage of his distinguished preceptors the Most Ven. Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayake Thero and Ven. Ampitiye Rahula Nayake Thero.
He was named Ven. Maharagama Dhammasiri Thero and swiftly gained an in-depth knowledge of all skills and subjects taught in the Vajiragnana Dharmayatanaya. This preeminent Bhikku Training Centre in Maharagama is, to date, given leadership by the Ven. Dhammasiri Thero as Viharadhipathi. He received his Higher Ordination in 1971 and entered the monkhood. He later became a Pali lecturer at the Maharagama Dharmayathana and was also a visiting lecturer at the Maharagama Teacher Training Institute.
Since 1987 he has resided in Washington D.C. at the Washington Buddhist Vihara becoming its General Secretary, President and Chief Incumbent the following year. The Washington Vihara, founded by the Most Ven. Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayake Thero, is the first-ever Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhist Temple in the United States and has been ably stewarded by the Ven. Dhammasiri Thero who has presided over this institution for 35 years.
Ven. Dhammasiri Thero throughout his 65 years in dedicated service to the Dhamma and has reached out to the Sri Lankan community and other Buddhist institutions as well as to other religions through interfaith dialogue to deepen mutual understanding. He is known in the United States and the western world as Bhante - a title of respect accorded to prelates. He was given the title of Chief Sangha Nayake of North America by the Amarapura Chapter in recognition of his inestimable service, seniority and exemplary discharge of his onerous responsibilities. He was also felicitated and granted the honorary title of Sri Dharmarakshitha Wanshadiwaja for rendering a great service towards Buddhism.
I am honoured to have known and worked closely with the Ven. Dhammasiri since I took office as Ambassador to the United States in 2021. Collaborating with the Sri Lankan community in organizing the felicitation ceremony at the Paññasīha Lion of Wisdom Meditation Center, which he founded and named in honour of the Most Ven. Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayake Thero, is particularly fitting. I have always sought the counsel and sage advice of the Maha Sangha in organizing Buddhist celebrations during my tenure and Ven. Dhammasiri Thero is one prelate who has been approachable, amiable and always appreciative of our efforts.
I wish the Most Ven. Maharagama Dhammasiri Thero many more years of spreading the teachings of the Buddha. His is a shining example of perseverance, dedication, humility and selfless service that helped Buddhism, especially the Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhist tradition, gain the renown and respect of all who seek refuge in the wisdom and peace of the Buddha and his teaching, both in the United States and throughout the world.
Embassy of Sri Lanka to the United States
Washington, DC
August 20, 2024
